Brenda Schultz was at Red Deer dream home for the launch of STARS Lottery on Wednesday.

Schultz was at a friend’s house in Rocky Mountain House, on the back deck at night. She hadn’t been there before and was expecting a railing as she went to the door to get back into the house.

The railing wasn’t there and she fell.

“It’s 15 feet off the ground and I landed on my back, broke four vertebrae,” said Schultz, now in a wheelchair.

“I would have had a really bumpy, treacherous ride to the hospital (by ambulance), which could have caused more damage to my spine.

“I could have been injured a lot more.”

Schultz remembers being strapped down on the stretcher and having the STARS crew tell her everything was going to be OK and asking questions about how she felt.

“I remember them putting me on the helicopter, I remember hearing it, I remember getting on to it,” said Schultz.

“I remember them telling me to just breathe and be calm.”

But that’s all she remembers until she got to the hospital.

If she could meet the crew who saved her, Schultz said she would say thank you.

She was rescued on Sept. 4, 2011, from Rocky and transported to University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.

“They got me there pretty fast, which is why I’m so thankful for them,” said Schultz.

Ken King, STARS vice-president of patient access, safety and quality management, and an in-flight paramedic, said the STARS Lottery is the most important fundraiser for the organization.

“I would estimate we’d get more than $10 million from this (fundraiser),” said King.

“The money goes directly to the operation, the helicopters and the crews and education.”

The dream home in Red Deer is one of four grand prize homes offered in this year’s draw. The others are in Lethbridge, St. Albert and Calgary.

The Red Deer home, which would retail for more than $930,000, is located at 15 Sawyer Close in the Southbrook community.

Other prizes include cars, cash, electronics, camping gear and two helicopter rides.

“When people come through the houses and go ‘Wow, I’d love to live here,’ that helps us in our sales of tickets,” said Rae Fehr, STARS director of enterprise fundraising.

Fehr pointed to the various home upgrades, such as an ensuite for the master bedroom, an upgraded HVAC system, living room fireplace, a wine room, decor and the upgraded shower facilities.

Tickets cost $25 each or three for $60, six for $100 or 18 for $250 and can be purchased by calling 1-888-880-0992, online at www.starslottery.ca or by mail with ticket request forms available at the 15 Sawyer Close show home.

The Red Deer show home is open to tours Saturday to Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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